But despite learning of the rumours he claimed Lady Thatcher appointed Sir Peter deputy party chairman of the Tory party. He died in 1995 but has since been linked to child sex abuse claims in North Wales.

Mr Strevens told the Sun on Sunday (£): "I am sure he would have given her assurances about the rumours as otherwise she wouldn't have given him the job."

Tory grandee Lord Tebbit has previously said he confronted Sir Peter over the allegations and received a flat denial.

A full-scale investigation into claims of an alleged paedophile ring in Westminster is now underway.

Government papers from 1984, released by the National Archives, show ministers were so concerned at the outbreak of a national docks strike while the miners were still out, they considered declaring a state of emergency.

Plans were drawn up for thousands of service personnel to commandeer trucks to move vital supplies of food and coal around the country.

It is thought to be the closest Mrs Thatcher came to defeat in her battle with the miners but the scheme was never implements after the dockers' action petered out after less than two weeks.

As Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher's immaculately coiffed blonde locks were as much a part of her image as her famous handbag - and newly-released government files show just how much time she spent keeping up appearances.